It was supposed to be a joyous day, yet the entire An Gou Manor looked as if they were in mourning.

Wu Cuirou returned home, smashing porcelain all over the floor.

“Wretched woman! Wretched woman!” She had never suffered such humiliation in her life.

For years, she had gotten whatever she wanted.

Even An Guogong and the Old Madam had never embarrassed her in public.

Seeing her mistress so distraught, Mammy Zhao, who had served Wu Cuirou since childhood, felt distressed.

“Madam, we must come up with a plan.”

“Plan for what?” Wu Cuirou lay on the table, sobbing. “That wretched woman’s family has already moved out! How am I supposed to get back at her?”

Mammy Zhao patted her back lightly. “Madam, the eldest branch has opened a shop. If we…”

“Good!”

Hearing this, Wu Cuirou’s eyes flashed with malice.

That wretched Chen woman had turned her into a laughingstock throughout Shengjing.

In that case, she would make her the laughingstock of the entire world!

…

Jiang Yuanxi was excited about the celebratory parade but hadn’t expected it to last three full rounds.

She had finished all her snacks and was now feeling hungry.

The horse moved slowly, and before long, Jiang Yuanxi dozed off in Jiang Yuansheng’s arms.

Even in her sleep, she mumbled, “Throw flowers… No need to be polite.”

Seeing his little sister act so adorably, Jiang Yuansheng’s smile was full of warmth.

Upstairs, the young ladies watching the parade were utterly smitten, screaming with excitement.

“Ahhh! Lord Zongzhi!”

“Look at me, my lord! Please look at me!”

“He’s mine!”

“No, he’s mine!”

The dispute escalated into a full-blown fight.

The guards following behind were already accustomed to such scenes. It happened every year, though this time, the fights seemed fiercer.

A young gentleman like a clear breeze and bright moon—

In all of Shengjing, no other young man could compare to his grace and elegance.

The city’s noble ladies adored him.

..

After the parade, Madam Chen had silver coins distributed at their doorstep—not too much, just enough for good fortune.

When Jiang Yuanxi woke up and heard about it, she happily ran to the entrance, only to find it completely bare.

The silver had long been snatched away.

Turning around, she noticed Jiang Yuancheng sitting at the doorstep, gazing up at the sky.

“Fourth Brother, what are you doing?” Jiang Yuanxi squatted beside him, mimicking his pose and looking up.

Could there be pies falling from the sky?

“Don’t mind me, Yuanxi. My heart is in pain.”

He had placed a bet of 150 taels at the Fu Gui gambling house, wagering that Jiang Hui wouldn’t pass the exam.

And that bastard actually passed!

His entire 150 taels were gone—completely vanished.

Even though he had picked up that money by chance, losing something after having it made him understand its value.

“Yuanxi,” Jiang Yuancheng suddenly grabbed her hand, his voice solemn. “If you want something, hold on to it tightly. Never let it go. Understand?”

Jiang Yuanxi nodded firmly. “Don’t worry, Brother! I understand!”

Half an hour later, chaos erupted in the Jiang family’s chicken coop.

“Madam, bad news! The young miss has moved her bedding into the chicken coop!”

“She says… she wants to sleep with the chickens!”

Madam Chen’s steady hand, which had been writing calligraphy, abruptly faltered.

The fine artwork was ruined.

She rushed over, only to see Jiang Yuanxi nestled inside the chicken coop, hugging three chickens tightly.

“Chunzhi, get her out of there.” Madam Chen’s temple twitched.

It took Chun Zhi considerable effort to coax Jiang Yuanxi out.

“Why won’t you let go of the chickens?” Madam Chen pointed at the ones in her arms.

Chun Zhi sighed bitterly. “Madam, she won’t let go.”

[Why should I let go? Fourth Brother said—if you want something, hold on and never let go.]

She wanted chicken drumsticks, so she had to keep an eye on the chickens.

No way was she letting go!

It took three drumsticks to finally convince her to release them.

Inevitably, Jiang Yuancheng received another beating.

After the parade, Jiang Yuansheng had to enter the palace for an imperial audience.

The emperor personally assigned posts to the top three scorers of the imperial examination.

However, the emperor specifically ordered Jiang Yuansheng to bring Jiang Yuanxi along.

Thus, she entered the palace as well.

Jiang Yuansheng remained calm, but he was worried about his sister.

“Yuanxi, when we go inside, you must behave. No running around. Do you understand?”

The emperor’s wrath was not something their family could afford to bear.

He wasn’t sure why His Majesty had called for Yuanxi.

Was it because she had previously witnessed the emperor’s embarrassing moment and he wanted to put her in her place?

“Got it, Brother!” Jiang Yuanxi responded cheerfully.

This place?

She was more familiar with it than he was.

Eunuch Cao personally led them to the imperial study.

The top scorer, Jiang Yuansheng; the second-place scholar, Li Ren; and the third-place scholar, Xu Ziyi.

The emperor glanced at them with satisfaction.

They knelt. “Your Majesty.”

Jiang Yuanxi knelt as well, but when they stood up, she followed suit.

Then, in front of everyone, she casually walked over to the emperor’s desk, grabbed a piece of pastry, and climbed onto the emperor’s lap.

The three scholars were utterly dumbfounded.

Especially Jiang Yuansheng.

What… what just happened?!

The Emperor pinched Jiang Yuanxi’s chubby cheeks. “You’ve gained weight again.”

Jiang Yuanxi turned and glared at him.

[I am not fat! Who’s fat?! How dare you call a girl fat!]

The emperor nearly cursed out loud. Why did I even call this little troublemaker over?

At that moment, Eunuch Cao announced, “Your Majesty, the crown prince has arrived.”

“Tell him to get in here!” the emperor snapped irritably.

Jiang Yuansheng clenched his fists.

His Majesty was angry—would Yuanxi be alright?

The crown prince entered and found himself a seat.

His father had called him to meet these scholars, but judging by the emperor’s mood, someone must have made him mad.

The emperor examined the three scholars.

The day before, Consort Chen had come to him, requesting that he find a husband for the princess.

He only had one daughter, Princess Jun Yun. Although he didn’t care for her as much as the crown prince, she was still his child.

Flipping through the profiles, he found Jiang Yuansheng to be the most suitable.

Not only was he intelligent and refined, but his family was also upright and respectable.

Most importantly, he was Yuanxi’s brother.

“I summoned you here to see the talents of my empire. You all will be its future pillars.”

Then, he turned to Jiang Yuansheng.

“Tell me, top scholar, are you engaged?”

[Is Emperor Uncle trying to force his daughter on my brother?]

The emperor coughed.

This little girl was too blunt!

And how could she say force? It was a royal bestowal!

“Your Majesty, I already have someone in my heart. I appreciate your kindness.”

Jiang Yuanxi was stunned.

[Since when? How come I didn’t know?!]

[Big Brother actually has another woman behind my back!]

The crown prince stifled a laugh.

The emperor sighed—such a fine young man, yet already taken.

His gaze shifted to the other two scholars…